Topics: Anthony Gordon, VAR, Newcastle United, Manchester United
Newcastle star Anthony Gordon was left furious with VAR after his side's 3-2 defeat to Manchester United.
Gordon was on the losing side at Old Trafford in a match that would have seen the Magpies secure European football for next season with a draw.
But United ensured the Europa League and Europa Conference League battle will go down to the last day of the season with victory.
Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo and Rasmus Hojlund all got on the scoresheet for the Red Devils - the latter being brought on as a substitute.
Advert
And while Gordon equalised after half-time to make it 1-1, the Magpies were unable to secure the result they wanted - despite Lewis Hall's long range strike in second half stoppage time.
There were flashpoints involving VAR, with Newcastle denied a penalty in the first half after Casemiro and Sofyan Amrabat tangled with Gordon in the area.
While a penalty wasn't given, replays clearly showed that the winger's Achilles had been raked as part of the challenge, with part of his sock visibly cut.
And in a week where it was announced that Premier League clubs will vote on scrapping VAR, Gordon gave a brutally honest verdict on the technology while speaking to Sky Sports.
He said: "I'm not too sure how good my ankle will be.
"I've watched the incident back - it's a clear penalty. I don't mind the referee getting it wrong on the pitch, because it's a difficult decision. Things happen really quickly.
"But what is the point of VAR then? It's there to correct mistakes. He [Amrabat] goes down my Achilles and pushes me in the back. Then Casemiro gets the ball, but it's two fouls before that. I honestly don't see the point in it.
"I knew straight away [Casemiro didn't foul, but Amrabat did]. That's why I didn't appeal. I thought, I don't mind the refere not giving it, because it's fast. I'll wait for the VAR to check. You can see me telling my team-mates, 'Don't worry, it's a penalty'.
"Then we carried on. I was just like, I've got a hole in my sock, so how can it be possible? I just don't get the point of it."
Newcastle travel to Brentford on the final day of the season knowing they can still overtake Chelsea to finish sixth on goal difference.
United face Brighton at the Amex Stadium, but need to win and hope Newcastle do not defeat Brighton to secure seventh spot and Europa Conference League qualification, as they will not be able to overturn Chelsea's far superior goal difference.
